The helmd is a high energy laser mobile demonstrator. It can fire a beam that concentrates light at targets in the air, disabling drones or incoming mortars. It is powered by lithium-ion batteries and a 60-kilowatt generator. A bespoke system with hi-tech sensors tracks its targets in flight.
According to Army officials the HELMD MD was able to engage more than 90 mortar rounds, as well several unmanned aerial vehicle in multiple tests last summer at White Sands Missile Range. This success led the Army to improve the laser's performance, with the aim of eventually increasing its power to 100 kilowatts.
This could be a significant step forward in defense against hypersonic weapons that fly too fast for conventional systems to hit. The Army has already started testing a 10kilowatt laser. Later, it plans to scale down the model to a 50kilowatt and finally 100 kilowatts.
It is becoming an important weapon for warfighters as the technology evolves. With increasing power, lasers can disable a wide range of weapons. It can be used in many maritime situations to disarm airborne threats.
A hel-md is designed to be operated by a vehicle operator and a weapon operator, whose job is to operate the laser. Both must be able work together using an Xbox controller to control laser intensity and a laptop for tracking and aiming the laser.
The laser must be precise in its aiming to achieve desired beam focus. This is accomplished by using 127 mirrors and lenses to create a small spot on the target. This allows the laser to be focused on the target and produces a powerful beam that can damage it.
The US Department of Defense has funded several projects that aim to improve the performance of Hel-md. These projects include studies that aim to reduce the weight of the laser system, improve its accuracy, and make it more suitable for the armed forces.
These efforts also included evaluating the impact of atmospheric conditions on Hel-md's target acquisition and tracking capabilities. One example is that the program team conducted tests to see which infrared sensing modalities performed best in fog and rainy conditions.
The results of these studies will provide the foundation for future research in hel-md's operational capabilities and help assess how a laser weapon can meet the requirements of the U.S. Army in a variety of battlefield conditions, including adverse weather.
The project will also test the system's ability to engage targets from greater distances and under more varied environmental conditions than previously developed high-energy lasers systems. This will enable the system to effectively defend against ground-based missiles and aircraft.